Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-05-07
MINNESOTA EDUCATION.

MINNESOTA EDUCATION.
Discursive Notes by Hon. d. Z. Kiehle,
State Saperintendent.
The people of Minnesota will be
pleased to know that the Department of
Public Instruction contemplate the pub
location of various matters Of informa-
ton pertaining to that branch of the
public service. State Superintendent
Kiehle has prepared the first of these
papers which he deyotes to Estate Text
Books.
work for the improvement of our school
system than the one recently adjourned. It
viii not be fully appreciated until we see
the results in the full operation of the laws,
increasing by nearly half million our cur
rent school fund, providing libraries of
choice reading in every neighborhsod, and
improving our institute work and our high
schools. All this is, however, only the open
ing up OF the work of education and not
the end of it. It yet remains to be settled
how the means and facilities at our COM
mand shall be utilized and furnish satisfac-
tory educational results. The men who
now pay these taxes so cheerfully and place
millions at the disposal of school authorit
ties have q right to inquire whether this
money is reaching the brains of the children
through good instruction with favorable
surroundings.
It is with desire to clearing the way for
the consideration of remaining problems, of
encouraging the people to study Important
questions and to be ready at a coming leg
islature to move still forward toward the
perfection of our system of education that
i shall offer few papers upon some Of the
practical educational matters before Us.
lnaSmuch as there exists no little per-
plexity, dissatisfaction, and questioning re-
speeding the operation of the state text book
law, shall devote this paper to that sub
ject in o manner somewhat personal to my
self in order that the public may clearly
understand my attitude, My interest, and
my responsibility in the execution of the
law. When measure is popular it will not
lack for fathers and friends, but when its
wisdom is doubted it is difficult to find its
old advocates. In 1877 the legislature enacted
what is known as the State text book law,
under which the state enteredinto solemn
contract binding for fifteen years. It de-
serves TO be mentioned that whatever
credit there is in the device and enactment
of this unique system, little or none of it be.
longs to the educators. Their advice and
influence were decidedly opposed on the
principle that the selection of the instru
ments Of instruction as text books and ap
paratus belonged to the local authorize.
and ought not to be assumed by the state
tits noticeable, by the way, that this view
prevailed at the last meeting Of the state as
ISOLATION, in which a resolution wa
adopted approving temperance instruction
in the schools, but Directing to the selection
OF a text book for the state In assuming
the duties of the Office of superintendent Of
public instruction it became my sworn duty
to execute this law in the interest Of educa
ton. was bound not only to administe1
the law, but to report to helegislature sucl
recommendations as would remove defects
and increase its efficiency.
With this understanding of my duty,
approved and rec commended so much of thu
bill of 1883 as changed the method OF dis
tribution from the district clerk to The
county agency system. It soon appeared
also, that some Of the important books O.
the series were not such as teachers had {
right to demand. The dissatisfaction wa
general, and some relief was eagerly sough
! for. therefore recommended that the leg
islature provide for a revision by substitu
ton; that is, by placing some new and goot
book on the list in the place of the old
| that provision be made for revision in al
adequate appropriation. This was re
| jected also. Here, then, after seven years
| In which a generation had begun and end
| ed their school life with books against tn
| use of which teachers had protested con
tinually, there still remained eight year
more, the school lifetime of another genera
ton through which the condition of thing
| must continue to the utter Decentralization
| Of our school work, and making wretchet
results, none too good at the best And, per
haps, more harmful than all else has beel
| the influences of an und1sguised violation
of q law requiring obedience under sever,
Dpna ltiaS on the mart Of teach af
and patrons OF schools. There was bnt on
alternative, which was to undertake gra
tuitously, and without provision by tn
state, the work of securing for the comin
| eight years series Of text books that teach
ers will be satisfied to use, and that tht
| schools might use to advantage.
This felt myself bound to do by the yer.
urgency of the situation. This Mr. Merrill
fully appreciated, and it was therefor,
agreed that he should employ persons sat
| isfactory TO me, who should do the work i
/! its details, and without compensation O
| financial interest in the sale of any of til
/ books, either directly or indirectly, Shout
supervise, plan, direct and suggest in tn
| making and revision of such of the books a
We're necessary. The work has been under
taken and is approaching completion. B
| the first OF September next | shall be abb
4 to offer the common schools Of this state
series of text books second to mono now be
fore the public.
confess to some pride in being able t
secure text books of so high a grade, pre-
pared by our own teachers, and in contrit
uting somewhat toward developing hom
1 industry SO creditabIe and importan
as making good school books
With the revision completed, I shall hav
removed SO far as they are within my cor
troll, all the obstacles to the successful opera
ton Of the law. Amendments to it belen
to the legislature: obedience to it belongs
l nthPnrS fnnRhorC ro0y fo
that altogether too much of our attention i
being given to text books, and that it j
| high time we should consider who on
teachers are to be. IL our teachers are il
competent, no book can supply the def
cheney; but if we can have good teacher:
all else will come in good time.